The new licensing scheme for short term lets in Scotland became effective on the 1st of October. The licensing scheme is a response to concerns from communities about the increase in unregulated properties being used for short term lets.

Those renting out properties/spaces within properties have to comply with mandatory conditions. Local authorities are also able to apply additional conditions in response to the needs of their own communities. Edinburgh to be a Short Term Let Control Area

Anyone operating as a host before 1 October has until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence and can operate until their application has been determined. New hosts must obtain a licence before accepting bookings and welcoming guests to stay.

A short-term let is where a property or part of a property is rented out for a short period of time, such as for a holiday or business trip. This could refer to renting a whole property or just renting a room in someone’s home. It also refers to self-catering accommodation, B&Bs, guest houses, or even just a spare room if this is rented out on a short-term basis.

Licence fees will vary depending on the local authority, size of property and type of let. Mandatory licence conditions can be found in Schedule 3 of the Licensing Order.

Malcolm Roughead, CEO at VisitScotland, said:

“The small accommodation sector is a key contributor to the economy and our high-quality and varied offering is one of the things that makes Scotland such a special destination.

“Through an Industry Advisory Group, we’ve been working closely with representatives from across the sector ahead of introduction of the licensing schemes.

“We’ll continue to give both new and established businesses the right advice to help them through the process of applying for a short-term let licence.”